Business Development Manager

The Forge; Norwich; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Forge in Norwich is seeking a commercially minded partnerships professional to drive revenue across workshops, campaigns, and programmes. You will identify growth partners, shape propositions, and lead negotiations to close strategic deals in a fast-moving build-stage environment.

This role offers exposure to a broad network of brands and operators, with a clear path into senior partnerships leadership as the business scales.

Responsibilities

• Identify, develop, and implement new revenue streams across workshops, partnerships, campaigns, and programmes
• Translate opportunities into clearly structured, market-ready propositions with defined pricing and delivery models
• Evaluate and optimise performance of revenue lines, scaling those with strongest commercial return
• Identify and secure growth partners to integrate into Forge programmes and ecosystems
• Build partnerships that deliver revenue, credibility, and distribution
• Structure commercially sound agreements, including cash partnerships and longer-term strategic relationships
• Lead the commercial development of new programme concepts from idea through to revenue-generating propositions
• Own the end-to-end commercialisation process, including pitching, negotiation, and deal closure
• Balance short-term revenue delivery with longer-term, higher-value partnerships
• Feed market insight back into the business, including partner demand and pricing expectations

Job description

About The Forge

*Agency Experience is favourable, and would be preferred.*

The Forge is a new kind of partnership house, built specifically for ambitious food and drink brands, and in addition, organisations that have built an audience that is under-monetised.

We connect brands to the people, platforms, and spaces that accelerate their growth; from commercial partners and national programmes through to campaigns, events, and cultural moments.

We are early, fast-moving, and deliberately under the radar.

That is our advantage.

In the first half of 2026, we have already secured a number of notable partnerships across platforms, corporates, and high-growth operators, demonstrating strong early demand for what we are building. We are now moving into the next phase: scaling this into a repeatable, national commercial engine.

We are not constrained by legacy models, rate cards, or traditional agency structures. We build commercially intelligent partnerships that deliver real outcomes — for both brands and partners.

For the right person, this is an opportunity to join at the point where the model is proven, but the scale is still to be built.

The Role

This is a commercial role focused on driving revenue through partnerships, programmes, and new business development.

You will be responsible for identifying where The Forge can grow, building relationships with high-value partners, and converting those opportunities into structured, revenue-generating deals.

This is not a traditional sales position. You will be expected to think strategically, shape propositions, and lead commercial conversations with confidence.

Key Responsibilities

Revenue Stream Development

• Identify, develop, and implement new revenue streams across workshops, partnerships, campaigns, and programmes
• Translate opportunities into clearly structured, market-ready propositions with defined pricing and delivery models
• Evaluate and optimise performance of revenue lines, scaling those with strongest commercial return

Strategic Partnership Development

• Identify and secure growth partners to integrate into existing Forge programmes and ecosystems
• Build partnerships that deliver revenue, credibility, and distribution
• Structure commercially sound agreements, including cash partnerships and longer-term strategic relationships
• Ensure effective integration of partners to maximise programme success and retention

National Programme Creation

• Identify opportunities to develop new large-scale, multi-brand programmes in collaboration with partners
• Lead the commercial development of new programme concepts from idea through to revenue-generating propositions
• Co-create initiatives that are scalable and commercially viable at a national level
• Own the end-to-end commercialisation process, including pitching, negotiation, and deal closure

Pipeline Management

• Build and maintain a robust pipeline of prospective partners and opportunities
• Manage the full sales lifecycle from initial outreach through to contract signature
• Balance short-term revenue delivery with longer-term, higher-value partnerships

Commercial Negotiation and Deal Structuring

• Lead negotiations with partners, ensuring alignment on value, deliverables, and long-term potential
• Develop flexible deal structures beyond standard rate cards, including retainers, sponsorships, and bundled offerings
• Secure partnerships that deliver both immediate revenue and strategic value

Market Insight and Commercial Strategy

• Feed market insight back into the business, including partner demand and pricing expectationsContribute to the evolution of The Forge’s commercial strategy and programme offering
• Ensure new initiatives are grounded in clear market demand

Candidate Profile

3–6+ years’ experience in new business, partnerships, or business development within an agency, platform, or commercial environment

Proven ability to originate and close deals, not just manage inbound opportunities

Experience structuring partnerships or commercial agreements beyond standardised pricing

Comfortable operating in a fast-moving, build-stage environment

Strong commercial judgement with the ability to prioritise high-value opportunities

Personal Attributes

• Strategic thinker with a strong commercial instinct
• Confident communicator, able to lead conversations with senior stakeholders
• Proactive and self-directed, with the ability to build pipeline from scratch
• Adaptable and comfortable with ambiguity
• High standards, strong attention to detail, and a focus on outcomes
• What Success Looks Like
• Consistent generation of new revenue across multiple streams
• High-quality partnerships that deliver both commercial and strategic value
• A strong, visible pipeline of opportunities at different stages
• Contribution to the development of scalable national programmes
• The Forge becoming a recognised and in-demand partner within the industry

Why This Role

Opportunity to join at an early stage and shape the commercial direction of the business

Exposure to a broad network of high-growth brands, partners, and operators

Ability to work across multiple revenue streams rather than a single product or service

Clear progression into a senior commercial or partnerships leadership role as the business scales.